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Our Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) narrated a story to his companions about a man from the previous generations before Islam. The man in the story was a righteous person and lived among the people but had difficulty in his life.
He suffered a tragedy that he couldn’t remedy for himself. We have in some ways gone through the same dilemma as this man. For instance, we might be wealthy but can’t treat our failing health or we have excellent health but no money.
This man possessed wealth and respect but had one thing that he couldn’t change for himself. He knew that he couldn’t change his condition and the only one who can do so is Allah (SWT). The man acknowledged that he had no power or authority over his weakness so he realizes that the only way to help himself was to help another person.
Thus, the man decides that he will go out in the dark of night in disguise to another part of the town and will give charity to the first person he bumps into and then run away to avoid any questions. He didn’t want any praise or glorification for this sincere act and so the reason for the disguise and going out in the night and different part of town to avoid recognition.
The man goes out into the night without his wife or anyone else knowing and the first person he bumps into, he says, “Here, take some charity,” and runs off. The next morning there is a buzz in the town as the people are laughing.
The man asks what’s going on and they told him that someone last night gave charity to a thief. When the thief was about to say to the man, “hand over your money or your life”, the man said, “Here my brother, takes some charity” and runs away.
This was a blow to the man, as his heart was full of consciousness and thinking about Allah (SWT). He was saying to himself, “I wanted to give charity to a needy person, not to some thief. I don’t think Allah (SWT) will accept this.” The man decides to go out the next night to give charity to the first person he knocks into and run away.
The next morning, everyone in the town now is hysterical in laughter so the man asks what happened. They said to him that a man last night gave charity to a prostitute and ran. The man told himself that I was hoping I might bump into someone like an orphan to give charity to.
Subsequently, the man decides to go out on the third night to give charity and run. The next morning, the entire town is laughing again as they find out that a man gave charity last night to the wealthiest man of the town.
The companions rejoiced when the Prophet (SAW) was narrating this story. But the Prophet (SAW) replied, “you laugh from this?” and then begins telling the meaning of this story.
As for that first night, the thief received the charity and went home. He realized this amount was sufficient for him and hence, there was no need for him to rob anyone and headed home.
This charity to the robber that the man underestimated was significant. That act of generosity by the man did not end with the thief but it extended to everyone else who the thief might have robbed that night.
Especially in Pakistan, we see beggars on the streets and think that a few rupees won’t make a difference. But maybe if we give them a few rupees, they might not have to stop others to beg for money. Also, the money we give may be enough that they don’t need to stay out all day to beg. Perhaps, the one charity we give might prevent harm to others that we never thought about roaming that street later.
The Holy Prophet (SAW) continues to explain about the second night with the prostitute receiving the charity. He (SAW) said that the woman took the charity and went home as she didn’t need to dishonor herself. Thus, the man who gave her the charity protected not only her from sinning but also, all those men who were going to come for her.
Nowadays, we have become too judgemental and likely look down upon this woman thinking that how can she sell herself. But our myopic thinking leads us to assume that Allah’s (SWT) favour is more for us than her, which is not true.
As Muslims, we have no judgment towards other people as judgment is only with Allah (SWT). Maybe, this prostitute that we feel contempt for if given the life that we have, could be a much better person than we are currently. It’s possible that if we were in her situation, we might be worse than her.
Regarding the third night when the man gave charity to the wealthiest man in town, the wealthy man went home and felt ashamed that someone who is less wealthy was doing more than him. The Prophet (SAW) stated that on the fourth night, this wealthy man in disguise went out and gave charity to others. Next, our Prophet (SAW) said, “Never look down at any good deed you do in life.”
Never look down at those few rupees you give to someone on the street or a kind word you say to someone. Never look down at a smile you give to someone you don’t know well, but that smile cheers them up. Don’t ever look down at any good deed.
